Colin Kaepernick 'paying $50k for a second autopsy' on mentally-ill man "EATEN ALIVE" in jail

Colin Kaepernick will pay for an autopsy to be carried out on a 35-year-old man who died in unexplained circumstances in a county jail last year after the first failed to find a cause of death.

LaShawn Thompson died in his Fulton County Jail Cell - in Atlanta, Georgia - last September and his family have claimed the shocking conditions of the facility led to his passing.

According to TMZ Sports, Kaepernick has reached out to one of the family's attorneys, Ben Crump, to fund a second autopsy which can cost anything between $20-$50,000.

TMZ also reports that Kaepernick has been distressed at reports of the conditions the 35-year-old was kept in.

Last week, it was reported Thompson's family have alleged he was eaten alive by insects and bed bugs in a lawsuit.

Colin Kaepernick has offered to pay for a second autopsy to be carried out on a man who died in his jail cell in Atlanta, Georgia last year 

LaShawn Thompson Thompson was allegedly found dead in a filthy cell at Fulton County Jail

A report from the Fulton County Medical Examiner's Office noted a 'severe bed bug infestation'

He was placed in the psychiatric wing of Fulton County Jail after officials determined he had mental issues. Three months later he was discovered dead.

Michael D Harper, the family's attorney, told DailyMail.Com last week: 'We are asking for a criminal investigation into the death of Mr Thompson. We are also asking for the jail to be shut down.

'These cells are horrible and not fit for an animal. Mr Thompson had not even been convicted - he was being held until his trial day.'

Mr Harper previously told Atlanta News First it was one of the most 'inhumane' deaths he had ever encountered.

'The scene was so horrific that the detention officer said she would not even administer CPR when they found him because she was, in her words, freaked out by the scene,' he said.

Mr Thompson's family said they had obtained open medical records which established the detention offices and medical staff at the jail noticed that Mr Thompson was deteriorating, but did nothing to help him.

'They literally watched his health decline until he died,' a statement read. 'Mr Thompson was housed in was not fit for a diseased animal. He did not deserve this. Someone has to be held accountable for his death.'

Kaepernick, who led the San Francisco 49ers to the Super Bowl in 2013, was the first athlete to take a knee to protest racially inequality and police brutality.

LaShawn Thompson was arrested for simple battery in Atlanta on June 12 2022

LaShawn Thompson was placed in the psychiatric wing of Fulton County Jail after officials determined he had mental issues

His controversial act of protest inspired many athletes to kneel during the national anthem and was an icon for the Black Lives Matter movement. However, his activism wasn't well received by all and sparked a heated nationwide debate, which included some of his own fans setting fire to his jersey.

In wake of the controversy, the NFL in 2018 issued a ruling prohibiting players from sitting or taking a knee during the singing or playing of The Star-Spangled Banner before games. 

Although the ruling has not ever been formally rescinded, no player has been disciplined for taking a knee and, in 2020, league commissioner Roger Goodell promised to support players who peacefully protest.

In 2017, he sued the NFL, accusing team owners of colluding to keep him out of the league due to his protests during the national anthem.

In 2019, Kaepernick settled the grievance with the NFL for an undisclosed amount after accusing owners of blackballing him in retaliation for the controversial protests.

Mr Harper, the family's attorney, said it was one of the most 'inhumane' deaths he had ever encountered

The jail is 'dangerously overcrowded and understaffed' according to the Southern Center for Human Rights

He said his upcoming Netflix documentary with director Spike Lee will go into more detail about why he decided to protest that way.

Since being out of the game, Kaepernick has juggled several projects, alongside becoming a new father but seemingly still has time to fit in workouts.

While being involved in various media projects, he runs a publishing company, and founded 'The Colin Kaepernick Foundation,' a nonprofit that aims to empower Black and Brown youth.

He is also the author of a new book, titled 'Colin Kaepernick: Change the Game,' which he co-wrote with Eve L. Ewing, a professor and sociologist at the University of Chicago, which has recently been released.